Following similar trajectories made by pop icons Justin Bieber and Austin Mahone, Australian singer Cody Simpson translated YouTube views to international stardom after his homemade videos attracted the eye of label execs in 2009. Since then, the young singer has matured from pre-teen pop hopeful to bona fide Top 40 sensation, becoming a favorite with ticket buyers for his impressive live concerts featuring intricate choreography and pitch-perfect vocals. In 2013, Simpson released his second album Surfer’s Paradise, spawning pop hit "Pretty Brown Eyes" and taking home Best Australian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. His subsequent performances on the Paradise Tour in 2013 saw him performing to feverish crowds of devoted fans, with occasional appearances by Justin Bieber and Flo Rida. Raised in Queensland, Australia, Simpson began recording songs in his bedroom as a teenager, covering his idols Justin Timberlake, Jason Mraz, and Michael Jackson. His debut single "iYiYi", which featured rapper Flo Rida, was a commercial success, paving the way for several tours including the Camplified Tour, which introduced him to American audiences. In November 2013 Simpson released The Acoustic Sessions EP, building anticipation for his 2014 Acoustic Sessions Tour.